What We Do ~ Commercial Programs

Storefront Renovation Program

Established in 1983, the City of Cleveland’s Storefront Renovation Program (SRP), administered out of the Department of Community Development, is an exterior rehabilitation program that combines a 40% rebate with free City design assistance using federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The City partners with Westown CDC to implement the program.

The goal of the SRP is to make a significant visual and economic impact in neighborhood retail districts to assist businesses and property owners succeed and compete in the regional shopping market.

Costs eligible for the 40% rebate include: signage, windows, awnings, sidewalks, driveways, masonry repair, lighting and landscaping.

For larger view please click on each image.

Business Technical Assistance

Westown CDC staff can help anyone interested in starting a new business or expanding an existing business. Assistance for business owners includes:

Finding a suitable location for your business
Design assistance for projects as large as full-scale rehabilitation, or as small as display window dressing
Guidance on Zoning, Building Standards, Planning, Liquor Licenses, Permits, Landmarks and other dealings with local government
Design Review for the both W117th/Lorain Business Revitalization District and the Lorain-Variety Historic District
Merchant meetings and newsletters

Commercial Code Enforcement

Commercial Code Enforcement is crucial to maintaining the integrity of our commercial district. Westown staff will assist businesses with identification and remediation of code violations. Some of the most common violations are lack of permits for signage or awnings, broken sidewalks and excessive signage in storefront windows. In 2008, Westown will be working with businesses owners on an aggressive campaign to address code violations. Business and property owners must take responsibility for the appearance and safety of their building. It doesn’t take much to clean up your building – if everyone did a little, it would make a big difference!